Dr. Evelina Atanassova

Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources and Leadership
Business and Professional Studies
Business, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership
evelina.atanassova@umassglobal.edu

Dr. Evelina Atanassova is an Associate professor of Business Administration, Human Resources and Organizational Leadership at UMass Global and has been teaching for the university since March 2014, focusing on the disciplines of Management, Organizational Leadership, and Human Resources. She has also had extensive teaching experience at HEC Paris (Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales) and the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Atanassova’s research interests include organization management and organization behavior theories; she is currently investigating social networking strategies as a response to professional demands and individual goals, as well as social network configurations. Her research has been presented at major academic conferences, such as The Academy of Management, The European Group for Organization Studies, The Paris Conference on Education, and The International Conference on Assessing Quality in Higher Education.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Atanassova gained operational leadership experience in Human Resource Management as an HR Manager within a large European telecommunications company. In that capacity, she was responsible for developing and implementing large-scale strategic initiatives spanning diverse HR disciplines, including job evaluation and grading, performance appraisal, organizational restructuring, competency models and leadership development. She is a committed learner and educator who has a purpose to develop leaders that are attentive to the business, the people, and the environmental needs organizations and societies face today by bringing together scientific novelties and business trends.

Education History

2016

Ph.D. in English
HEC Paris, France
Dissertation: “Social capital: Strategies and contingencies"

2009

M.A. in English
Chapman University, Orange, USA
Thesis: Reflections on organizational leadership

2005

M.A. in Bulgarian
New Bulgarian Univeristy, Sofia, Bulgaria
Thesis: Developing a strategy for implementing performance management system in the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Book Publication: Deszca, G., Ingols, C., Atanassova, E., & Tupper, C.F. (2024). Organizational Change. Sage.

2024

  • Conference Panel on Innovative Instruction, International Conference on Assessing Quality in Higher Education

2023

  • Conference Presentation "How to bridge the gap between higher education and industry with agility: Lessons from the Big Techs, The Paris Conference on Education"
     

Professional Experience

Research Assistant 

HEC Paris, France
Supported academic research by conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and assisting the development of publications.

 
HR Manager

Vivacom, Sofia, Bulgaria
Managed and developed performance management systems, job grading, workforce planning, and incentive schemes, while also consulting senior management, facilitating internal communication, and driving leadership development, all to align HR strategies with business goals, including supporting the launch of a new company brand.

 
HR Specialist

Vivacom, Sofia, Bulgaria
Designed job descriptions, consulted management on structuring teams and hierarchies, coordinated the job grading process, led HR generalist trainings, and conducted personality assessments to offer personalized feedback and career development guidance.

 

Education History

2016

Ph.D. in English
HEC Paris, France
Dissertation: “Social capital: Strategies and contingencies"

2009

M.A. in English
Chapman University, Orange, USA
Thesis: Reflections on organizational leadership

2005

M.A. in Bulgarian
New Bulgarian Univeristy, Sofia, Bulgaria
Thesis: Developing a strategy for implementing performance management system in the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company

Scholarly Activities

2024

  • Book Publication: Deszca, G., Ingols, C., Atanassova, E., & Tupper, C.F. (2024). Organizational Change. Sage.

2024

  • Conference Panel on Innovative Instruction, International Conference on Assessing Quality in Higher Education

2023

  • Conference Presentation "How to bridge the gap between higher education and industry with agility: Lessons from the Big Techs, The Paris Conference on Education"
     

Professional Experience

Research Assistant 

HEC Paris, France
Supported academic research by conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, preparing reports, and assisting the development of publications.

 
HR Manager

Vivacom, Sofia, Bulgaria
Managed and developed performance management systems, job grading, workforce planning, and incentive schemes, while also consulting senior management, facilitating internal communication, and driving leadership development, all to align HR strategies with business goals, including supporting the launch of a new company brand.

 
HR Specialist

Vivacom, Sofia, Bulgaria
Designed job descriptions, consulted management on structuring teams and hierarchies, coordinated the job grading process, led HR generalist trainings, and conducted personality assessments to offer personalized feedback and career development guidance.

 

Related Programs

Speaker and audience
Leadership

Organizational Leadership, BA

With theory-to-practice-oriented curriculum that applies to diverse career paths, the UMass Global bachelor’s in organizational leadership will prepare you for entry and mid-level supervisory roles.  
Jun 23, 2025
Team collaborating on a laptop
9 Emphases
Business

Business Admin, BBA

Open doors to the business world with this bachelor’s degree in business administration. From accounting to finance, marketing to operations management — you’ll explore the breadth of business through industry-relevant coursework taught by working professionals.
Jun 23, 2025
Two diverse businesswomen having a discussion to share ideas and plans while working together in an office
Human Resources

Human Resources, MS

Gain the skills and tools you need to maximize employee engagement and address cultural, regulatory, and behavioral issues in a diverse workforce. You’ll learn strategic management, staffing, training and development, conflict and negotiation, employee benefits, and legal issues.
Jun 23, 2025
Business People Having a Meeting
Business

Business Administration, Certificate

This online business administration certificate program introduces conceptual and practical skills needed for standard business practice. These courses help both business and non-business students who hold a bachelor’s degree and want to enhance their administrative abilities for public sector, for-profit, or nonprofit environments.
Jun 23, 2025
Office Conference Room Meeting Presentation: Latin Businessman Talks, Uses Wall TV to Show Company Growth with Big Data Analysis, Graphs, Charts, Infographics. Multi-Ethnic e-Commerce Startup Workers
Data Analytics & GIS

Business Intelligence & Data Analytics, Certificate

This online certificate teaches professionals how to make more effective business decisions based on data analysis using state-of-the-art software. The graduate-level business intelligence program can apply to a broad range of careers in private, nonprofit, and public sector organizations.
Jun 23, 2025
A multi-ethnic group of business professionals are standing together in a group and are smiling while looking at the camera.
Leadership

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Leaders, Certificate

The strength of America has always been our mixed ancestry. But due to personal and institutional biases, organizations can struggle to achieve diversity. This DEI certificate program provides managers with tools to help create diverse workplaces.
Jun 23, 2025
Business people shaking hands in the office. Group of business persons in business meeting. Three entrepreneurs on meeting in board room. Corporate business team on meeting in modern office. Female manager discussing new project with her colleagues. Company owner on a meeting with two of her employees in her office.
Human Resources

Human Resources, Certificate

This graduate-level certificate is designed to develop professionals in human resources who wish to broaden their conceptual knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field.
Jun 23, 2025
Businessman, meeting and discussion with office, boardroom and collaboration or workshop. Leader, training and presentation for mentor, coaching and strategy for teamwork and planning with startup
7 emphases
Business

Business Administration, MBA

Position yourself for a promotion or new position with a Master of Business Administration. Our dynamic, online MBA degree provides a comprehensive understanding of business principles, management strategies, and leadership skills, giving you the tools to thrive in a diverse, competitive business landscape.
Jun 23, 2025